Japan still runs on cash at temples, ramen shops and small stores. Best foreign-card ATMs: Seven Bank (24/7, Mastercard free, 100,000 JPY limit), AEON, Japan Post, Lawson. Always refuse DCC and pay in JPY (4–5% markup); tipping does not exist.
- Japan still runs on cash at temples, ramen shops with ticket machines, IC card top-up machines and smaller shops outside the big cities.
- Seven Bank machines are the most reliable for foreign cards - 24/7, English menus, no fee on Mastercard, and a 100,000 JPY per-transaction limit.
- AEON Bank charges nothing either, but you must pick "card issued abroad" on the start screen. Japan Post ATMs are usually closed at night.
- Always refuse Dynamic Currency Conversion and choose JPY, since the markup typically runs 4% to 5% above the card association rate.
- Tipping does not exist in Japan and is considered inappropriate - leave cash on a table and staff will chase you down the street to return it.
Money and payments
Japan remains a strongly cash-based economy, despite the growth of digital payments, and the FCDO makes the same point: foreign card acceptance is more limited than visitors expect. Cash is strictly required at temples and shrines, in traditional ramen restaurants (with ticket vending machines), for topping up IC cards at machines and in smaller shops outside the main metropolises. ATM withdrawals with foreign cards carry specific limits and fees:
| ATM network | Foreign-card withdrawal fee (VISA / Mastercard) | Per-transaction limit | Details and operating hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Bank (7-Eleven) | VISA: 110 JPY up to 10,000 JPY, 220 JPY above 10,000 JPY. Mastercard: 0 JPY. | 100,000 JPY. | 24/7 availability, the most reliable foreign-card support, English menu. |
| AEON Bank | VISA and Mastercard: 0 JPY (or 75 JPY depending on the exact card association). | 50,000 JPY. | You must pick "card issued abroad" on the start screen. |
| Japan Post Bank | VISA and Mastercard: 220 JPY flat. | 50,000 JPY. | Hours follow post-office opening times; ATMs are usually closed at night. |
| Lawson Bank | VISA and Mastercard: flat 110 JPY. | 50,000 JPY. | Only in Lawson convenience stores; withdrawals only in 10,000 JPY notes. |
The DCC trap (Dynamic Currency Conversion)
When paying by card at terminals and withdrawing from ATMs, the system often offers to settle the transaction in your card's home currency instead of the local currency (JPY). Always strictly refuse and choose payment/withdrawal in JPY. Choosing the home currency activates an unfavourable DCC rate whose markup typically runs 4% to 5% above the Visa/Mastercard association rate.
Tipping
Tipping does not exist in Japan and is considered insulting or inappropriate. Attempting to leave cash on a restaurant table will result in staff chasing you down the street to return it.
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